Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 13, 2023) — The “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse will sweep across Utah on Saturday, Oct. 14, giving Salt Lake City a partial view of the rare event with Filmore and other Central and Southern Utah towns offering some of the best views in the country. The American Red Cross of Utah urges eclipse watchers to take safety precautions to prevent eye damage.
In line with its preparedness mission, the Red Cross recommends using solar eclipse glasses or a hand-held viewer that complies with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. During an annular solar eclipse, also known as the “Ring of Fire,” the sun is only partially obscured and can cause significant damage to unprotected eyes.
“The only safe way to look at the eclipse on Saturday is through ISO-approved solar filters like those in the solar glasses,” said Dr. Walter Kelley, Medical Director for the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Red Cross. “Looking at the sun without eclipse glasses or solar viewers can cause ‘eclipse blindness’ or retinal burns. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.”
Eclipse path
Some of the best viewing of the eclipse will be in Richfield, Filmore, Cedar City and other nearby towns. Most of Utah will witness a partial solar eclipse rather than an annular eclipse, which occurs when the moon covers the sun’s center, revealing only the sun’s corona creating a “Ring of Fire” or annulus around the moon. According to NASA, the partial eclipse will begin about 8:09 a.m. with the sun in annular eclipse in Richfield from about 10:26 a.m. to 10:31 a.m. Salt Lake City eclipse watchers will see about 86% of the partial solar eclipse.
On Saturday morning, the eclipse will be visible over Oregon, marking the beginning of a 130-mile-wide path across the U.S., culminating in the “Ring of Fire” phenomenon an hour later. The eclipse will then travel southward across Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas, touching portions of Idaho, California, Arizona and Colorado before exiting into the Gulf of Mexico at Corpus Christi.
Eclipse trip safety
Those planning to drive to a viewing location should check the weather forecast, traffic reports and road conditions beforehand. “Make sure to plan ahead and find a safe and legal area prior to the eclipse so you can enjoy the experience,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “Avoid parking on highway shoulders or ditches. This creates hazards for you and other drivers, and vehicle exhaust could ignite a grass fire.”
The Red Cross advises Utahns to keep an emergency kit in their cars, including water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, cell phone chargers, blankets and emergency contact information. “Being prepared and ready before an accident will greatly improve your ability to help and be helped during an emergency or disaster,” Ruster said.
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About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.